WOMEN can try out fishing with Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT) thanks to £9,950 of National Lottery This Girl Can funding from Sport England.

The charity’s Girls Go Fishing project is supporting women over 18 to take up angling by offering two free taster days this August at fisheries in Somerset.

Rivers and fisheries officer and project lead for WRT, Mia Bryant said: “I am passionate about the benefits this pastime can bring and, as a keen angler, I would love other women to have the chance to enjoy this hobby.

“Maybe you haven’t had the confidence to give it a go or don’t know where to start, but this could be the perfect opportunity to change that, giving you a new skill and perhaps a desire to try other types of angling too.”

There are 10 places at Summerhayes Fisheries, Bridgwater, on Thursday, August 25 and 10 places at Acorn Fishery, Clevedon, on Friday, August 26.

Participants will try coarse fishing at the fully accessible venues, which is the most popular type of fishing in England, with all equipment, licences, and training provided.

Mia added: “Being active and surrounded by nature when fishing has the potential to improve physical and mental wellbeing, so we are delighted this funding is supporting our aims to introduce fishing to more women in the Westcountry.

“Thank you to everyone who plays the National Lottery; we wouldn’t be able to do this without you, and it’s a great time to take part as it’s National Fishing Month too.”

WRT, created by anglers concerned about the changes they witnessed in river ecology, has been restoring and protecting the region’s freshwater environments for almost 30 years.

Visit wrt.org.uk/project/girls-go-fishing/ for full detail and to book your place.